Elastic loop for securing a bag to a trashcan

ABSTRACT

The elastic loop for securing a bag to a trashcan is an elastic cord formed as an endless loop. The loop may be formed in one-piece, or may be a linear cord with its two ends coupled together to form a continuous loop by, e.g., a coupler crimped about opposing ends of the cord. The elastic cord is constructed of a plurality of elastic strands wrapped tightly in a pliable tubular cover. The continuous loop has a circumference less than the circumference of a trashcan for which it is adapted but can be stretched to fit tightly around the trashcan and thereby secure a trash bag to the trashcan.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for securing a disposable bagto a container and, more particularly, to an elastic loop used to securethe open end of a disposable trash bag over the rim of a trashcan,thereby preventing the trash bag from sliding down into the trashcan.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, when a trashcan is used as a refuse receptacle at an indooror outdoor function, the trashcan is lined with a disposable plastictrash bag. Typically, the bag is inserted into the trashcan with theopen end of the bag folded over the rim of the can. A common problemwith this arrangement, however, is that the bag often slips down intothe trashcan. Often, as refuse is added to the bag, the open end of thebag is pulled into the trashcan and then buried under later addedrefuse. In such circumstances, emptying the trashcan is more difficultand time consuming. Instead of simply transporting the bag and itscontents to a larger container, the trashcan must also be transported tothe larger container and, once at the larger container, the trashcanmust be inverted to empty it contents. Moreover, if the indoor oroutdoor function is still proceeding, then the trashcan must be returnedto its prior location.

Various devices have been used for securing a disposable bag to atrashcan. For example, some devices are used for securing a disposabletrash bag to a trashcan by clamping the upper portion of the bag againstthe outer aspect of the can. U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,752, issued Dec. 23,1986 to R. A. DeMars, teaches a rigid hoop attached in a rotatable,hinged relationship to one handle of a trashcan, and U.S. Pat. No.5,556,063, issued Sep. 17, 1996 to B. S. Boyd, teaches a trash bagretaining band adapted for a specific trashcan. However, neither ofthese devices can be used to quickly and simply secure a bag to atrashcan with a minimal amount of effort, nor is a single embodiment ofeither device capable of being used with trashcans of different sizes.The rigid hoop of the '762 patent fits the specific trashcan to which itis attached and requires adequate space and effort to be rotated intoposition. Likewise, although the retaining band of the '063 patent issufficiently expandable to slide over and around the rim of acorresponding trashcan, disposing the band in such a position requiresphysical effort and, further, a single embodiment of the retaining bandcannot be used with more than one size trashcan.

Consequently, a need exists for a device for securing a disposable trashbag to a trashcan in such a manner that the bag will not slip down intothe can as refuse is deposited therein, and that can accomplish thistask with minimal effort on a variety of trashcan sizes. Such a devicewould ensure the easy removal of refuse from a trashcan and would avoidboth the necessity of transporting a trashcan to a large refusecontainer and the necessity of inverting the trashcan to empty itscontents.

In addition to the patents discussed above, various devices have beendeveloped for securing a bag to a trashcan via a hooks or brackets,including U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,340, issued Apr. 5, 1988 to J. H. Preston(rim-mounted bag handle brackets); U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,808, issued Aug.16, 1988 to J. R. Guhl et al. (wire rim-mounted bag handle brackets);U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,380, issued Jul. 3, 1990 to M. T. Donahoe (containerwith external rim-mounted bag handle retainers); U.S. Pat. No.4,957,252, issued Sep. 18, 1990 to V. W. Watkins (support frame for bagswith handles); U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,087, issued Mar. 31, 1992 to S. B.Ashby (container with external side-mounted fastening devices); and U.S.Pat. No. 5,915,584, issued Jun. 29, 1999 to J. M. Sposit (rim-mountedinternal hooks for bag handles). The notable drawback of these devicesis that each is adapted to support a plastic bag with handles, such asthose used by grocery stores. Thus, these devices are not suited forsecuring a conventional trash bag, without handles, to a trashcan.

Devices which do not attach a trash bag to a trash can, but merely holdthe bag in an open position are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,041,issued to E. L. Koger (elevated rim with spring loaded fastener); U.S.Pat. No. 4,738,478, issued Apr. 19, 1988 to P. W. Bean, Jr. (hand-heldrim for supporting a flexible bag); U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,278, issued Nov.17, 1992 to J. E. Martenhoff (funnel with fastening hooks for lawn bag);U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,271, issued Jun. 8, 1993 to C. A. Moe (portable bagholder); U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,496, issued Jun. 22, 1999 to V. G. Valdez(hand-held bag frame); U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,242, issued Dec. 3, 2002 toF. A. Barriere (wall mounted bag rim); and U.S. Pat. Publication No.2003/0019981, published Jan. 30, 2003 (hand-held bag frame with clips).While useful in holding the bag open, none of the devices can be usedwith a conventional trashcan.

Other devices having some features in common with the present inventionbut which do not teach or suggest an elastic loop for securing a trashbag to a trash can are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,416, issued Sep. 15,1998 to J. A. Cerniglia (yard and trash compactor that uses cords withhooks) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,708, issued Apr. 11, 2000 to Panel et al.(a thin resilient band used in a hair bun kit). However, while theCerniglia patent teaches a device incorporating cords having multiplestrands, it does not teach a permanent closed loop; and while the Panelpatent teaches an elastic loop formed by crimping the ends of an elasticstrand, it does not teach a multi-stranded elastic loop.

Thus, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly orin combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.Therefore, an elastic loop for securing a bag to a trashcan solving theaforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The elastic loop for securing a bag to a trashcan is an elastic cordformed into a loop. The cord may be made as a one-piece endless loop, oras a linear cord with its two ends connected together by a coupler,e.g., a metal coupler crimped together over the opposing ends to form acontinuous loop. The elastic cord is constructed of a plurality ofelastic strands wrapped tightly in a pliable tubular cover.

The continuous loop has a circumference less than the circumference of atrashcan for which it is adapted but can be stretched to fit tightlyaround the trashcan and thereby secure a trash bag to the trashcan. Asingle embodiment of the device is adapted for use with trashcans ofvariety of sizes.

Using the device, a trash bag is secured to a trashcan by inserting theclosed end of the trash bag into the trashcan and folding the open endof the trash bag over the rim of the trashcan such that a portion of theopen end of the trash bag circumscribes the exterior of an upper portionof the trashcan. The device is then stretched around the portion of thetrash bag folded over the rim of the trashcan.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide anelastic loop for securing a trash bag to the rim of a trashcan.

It is another object of the invention to avoid slippage of a trash bagdown into a trashcan by providing an elastic loop for securing a trashbag to the rim of a trashcan.

It is a further object of the invention to facilitate quick and easyemptying of a trashcan lined with a trash bag by providing an elasticloop for securing a trash bag to the rim of a trashcan.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an elastic loop forsecuring a trash bag to the rim of a trashcan in order to avoid eitherhaving to transport a trashcan to a larger container or having to inverta trashcan in order to empty the trashcan of its contents.

A further object of the invention is to provide an elastic loop forsecuring a trash bag to a trashcan which resists breakage by providingthe loop with multiple strands.

Further, it is an object of the invention to provide improved elementsand arrangements thereof for the purposes described which isinexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elastic loop for securing a bag to atrashcan according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an elastic loop for securing a bag to atrashcan according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a section view along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a coupler for an elastic loop forsecuring a bag to a trashcan according to the present invention.

FIG. 4B is an end view of the coupler of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a top view of the coupler of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an elasticloop for securing a bag to a trashcan according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6A is an exploded environmental perspective view of a an elasticloop for securing a bag to a trashcan according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6B is another exploded environmental perspective view of an elasticloop for securing a bag to a trashcan according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6C is a third environmental perspective view of an elastic loop forsecuring a bag to a trashcan according to the present invention shownsecuring a trash bag to the trashcan.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is an elastic loop for securing a bag to atrashcan designated generally as 10 in the drawings. Referring first toFIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, the invention includes an elastic cord 12 anda coupler 20. The elastic cord 12 has two ends 13 and 14 which aredisposed end-to-end and crimped together with the coupler 20 to form acontinuous elastic loop 10. In cross section, the elastic cord 12 isround, as shown in FIG. 3, and incorporates a plurality of elasticstrands 11 wrapped tightly together in a pliable tubular cover 15 orsheath. The diameter of a cross section of the elastic cord 12 isbetween about one-quarter of an inch and about {fraction (3/16)} of aninch.

The coupler 20, shown separately in FIGS. 4A-4C, is constructed ofmetal. Prior to assembly of the invention, the crimp 20 has arectangular bottom wall 21 and two substantially rectangular sidewalls22 and 23 joined to form a U-shaped channel. The bottom wall 21 has fourtriangular gripping spikes 24 protruding upward from its top surface.The four triangular gripping spikes 24 are formed by punching throughthe bottom wall 21 with a die adapted to form one or more triangularprotrusions from a flat piece of sheet metal. The two sidewalls 22 and23 extend upward from opposite edges of the bottom wall 21 and aresubstantially parallel to each other 22 and 23. The top edge 25 of eachsidewall 22 and 23 is serrated. When the crimp 20 is crimped to theelastic cord 12, the four triangular gripping spikes 24 penetrate theelastic cord 12 to provide a secure crimp of the two ends 13 and 14 andthe crimp 20 adapts to the rounded shape of the elastic cord 12.

It will be understood that the description of coupler 20 is exemplaryfor purposes of enabling the invention, and not intended to limit thescope of the present invention. Any other form of coupler for joiningtogether the two ends of a flexible cord known to those skilled in theart may be used in lieu of the metal, crimp-type coupler shown in thefigures.

The pliable tubular cover 15 is constructed of a pliable elasticmaterial and can be a single color or a combination of colors set in apattern such as stripes.

When not stretched, the device 10 has a circumference less than that ofa trashcan for which it 10 is adapted. The device 10 is capable of beingstretched to fit tightly around the rim of a trashcan and to therebysecure a trash bag to the trashcan. Using the device 10, a trash bag issecured to a trashcan by inserting the closed end of the trash bag intothe trashcan and folding the open end of the trash bag over the rim ofthe trashcan such that a portion of the open end of the trash bagcircumscribes the exterior of an upper portion of the trashcan. Thedevice 10 is then stretched around the portion of the trash bag foldedover the rim of the trashcan.

As shown in FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment 30 of the invention isconstructed without a crimp. In this embodiment 30, a plurality ofelastic strands is tightly wrapped in a looped tubular cover.

FIGS. 6A-6C show an elastic loop 40 and in use with a trashcan 50.Elastic loop 40 may have the structure of either loop 10 or loop 30. Asshown in FIG. 6A, the trashcan 50 has a groove 51 circumscribing itssidewall near its rim 52. When not stretched, the elastic loop 40 has acircumference less than that of the groove 51. The elastic loop 40 iscapable of being stretched to fit tightly around the groove 51 and tothereby secure a trash bag to the rim 52 of the trashcan 50.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. An elastic loop for securing a bag to a trashcan, consisting of: aplurality of elastic strands, each strand having a first end and asecond end, each of the strands being substantially equal in length; atubular cover having a first end and a second end and beingsubstantially equal in length to each of said elastic strands, saidtubular cover constructed of a pliable material; and a coupler; whereineach of said elastic strands is disposed inside said tubular cover withsaid first end of said tubular cover and said first end of each of saidelastic strands aligned and with said second end of said tubular coverand said second end of each of said elastic strands aligned, whereinsaid elastic strands and said tubular cover form an elastic cord havinga first end and a second end; and wherein said first and said secondends of said elastic cord are aligned end-to-end and are coupledtogether with said coupler to form an endless loop.
 2. The elastic loopaccording to claim 1, wherein said elastic cord is round in crosssection with a cross-sectional diameter of between about one-quarter ofan inch and about {fraction (3/16)} of an inch.
 3. An elastic loop forsecuring a bag to a trashcan, consisting of: a plurality of elasticstrands, each strand being substantially equal in circumference; and atubular loop being substantially equal in circumference to each of saidelastic strands and being constructed of a pliable material; whereineach of said elastic bands is disposed inside said tubular loop.
 4. Theelastic loop according to claim 3, wherein said elastic loop forsecuring a bag to a trash can is round in cross section with a crosssectional diameter of between about one-quarter of an inch and about{fraction (3/16)} of an inch.
 5. An elastic loop in combination with atrashcan, comprising: a trashcan having a rim and having a groovecircumscribing said trashcan, said groove being recessed inward anddisposed beneath rim of said trashcan; and an elastic loop removablydisposed in the groove of said trashcan; whereby said elastic loop isadapted for resiliently securing a trash bag to the rim of saidtrashcan.
 6. The elastic loop according to claim 5, wherein; saidelastic loop is comprised of at least two elastic strands, a tubularcover and a crimp; each of said at least two elastic strands having afirst end and a second end and being substantially equal in length; andsaid tubular cover having a first end and a second end, and beingconstructed of a pliable material and being substantially equal inlength to each of said elastic strands; wherein each of said elasticstrands is disposed inside said tubular cover with said first end ofsaid tubular cover and said first end of each of said elastic strandsaligned and with said second end of said tubular cover and said secondend of each of said elastic strands aligned, wherein said elasticstrands and said tubular cover form an elastic cord having a first endand a second end; and wherein said first and said second ends of saidelastic cord are aligned end-to-end and are crimped together with saidcrimp to form a loop.
 7. The elastic loop according to claim 6, whereinsaid elastic cord is round in cross section with a cross sectionaldiameter of between about {fraction (1/4)} of an inch and about{fraction (3/16)} of and inch.
 8. The device according to claim 5,wherein said elastic loop is comprised of at least two elastic strandsand a tubular loop, each of said at least two elastic strands beingsubstantially equal in circumference, said tubular loop beingconstructed of a pliable material, and being substantially equal incircumference to each of said elastic bands, each of said elasticstrands being disposed inside said tubular loop.
 9. The elastic loopaccording to claim 8, wherein said elastic loop is round in crosssection with a cross-sectional diameter of between about one-quarter ofan inch and about {fraction (3/16)} of an inch.